Three goal first half sets up Albany Creek win

Three goals in the last ten minutes before halftime set up a 3-1 win for Albany Creek in their BLK Silver Group C match against Capalaba.

Goals to Chang-Shin Park, Yasu Fujimoto and Christian Sorbello set up the win while George Barbarouses scored a late consolation for the Bulldogs.

Despite the 7:30pm kickoff, the match was played in very muggy conditions with a quick shower on kick-off time making things worse with an apparent temperature of 29 degrees.

Capalaba keeper Sam Chandler was the star early in proceedings with four impressive saves in the first fifteen minutes.

Firstly he denied Fujimoto with a clearance on the line before a reflex save with feet to stop Park. Sasa Radulovic and Riley Campbell were also frustrated by Chandler’s heroics.

It seemed a matter of when, not if Albany Creek would score. Capalaba’s Yuji Hirayama had other ideas though as he drew Tom Sherwood deep out of his area but shot across the face.

The goal eventually came for Albany Creek ten minutes from the break when Park’s run into the box resulted in the Korean putting past Chandler.

Capalaba’s David Kai almost equalised from the restart when from just inside the box, his shot clattered onto the crossbar.

Two goals in the final five minutes gave Albany Creek a comfortable half-time buffer. The first coming as a cross slid past Riley Campbell but found Fujimoto at the back post. The second came when Sorbello got in the box and beat Chandler at the near post.

Capalaba’s defence looked better in the second half with chances becoming few and far between.

Tom Laxton had Albany Creek’s best effort for the half with a sharp shot that went across the face.

Barbarouses firstly chipped over the bar and ten minutes later found a consolation goal for the Bulldogs.

Albany Creek had nervous moments when Sam Basnett almost gave his side late hope straight from the kickoff.

Chandler was tested by Shin-Park and Fujimoto in stoppage time. If not for the keeper’s efforts, the Bulldogs may well have been on the end of a much higher goal count.

The win gave Albany Creek their first win in the tournament after going down to Brisbane City last week while the Bulldogs remain winless and are out of semi-finals contention.